Being There (1979) is a satirical comedy-drama directed by Hal Ashby and based on the novel by Jerzy Kosiński. The film stars Peter Sellers as Chance, a simple-minded, sheltered gardener who has spent his entire life in the confines of a wealthy man’s estate, learning everything he knows from television. When his benefactor dies, Chance is thrust into the outside world for the first time. Through a series of misunderstandings, his simplistic, gardening-based comments are interpreted as profound political wisdom, leading him to become an influential figure in Washington, D.C. The film cleverly critiques the nature of media, politics, and the power of perception, all while showcasing Sellers’ iconic performance as the enigmatic and unintentional sage.
Being There
